I Billy Jones The Inn. Lambhill. 9pm. Free. Regular on the Edinburgh gig circuit makes a much rarer Glasgow appearance in one of the city‘s musical outposts.

I Big George and the Business LaTaniere. 15 Fox Street. 221 4844. 9pm. Free. The legendary Big George continues to delight Glaswegian audiences with his guitar playing. mixing blues standards with some of his own compositions. like Rosie‘s llome.

Edinburgh

I Amayenge Ross Theatre. Princes Street Gardens. 7.30pm. £3 (£2). Fifteen-piece Zambian group who‘ve notched tip a string of hits in their home country. Not just a musical feast either: the spectacle includes dancers and acrobats. Be warned: Zambian music is something that's going to get a lot of pushing in the months ahead.

I Bushmen Don't Suit venue. (‘alton Road. 557 3073. Music fans impressed by Hugh Masekela's collaborations with Patti Simon. or his spot at the Mandela bash. should make a point ofgoing along tosee three of his band touring under their own steam. with various collaborators.

I Strategy Lord Darnley. West Port. 22‘)

IN TUA NUA

Every new Irish band In the eighties has had to put up with comparisons with UZ and/or Van Morrison, so It comes as something oi a relief to find Melody Maker comparing them with another lrlsh export, when they were described as ‘the best thing to come out at Dublin since Arthur Guinness' home brew.’

It is a partly valid assertion as In Tua Nua along with Hothouse Flowers have both been successful in combining traditional Irish music with modern rock textures. It Is interesting to note that both bands were also given their first break by U2’s Mother Records.

In the case at In Tua Nua this took the Iorm of their debut single, Coming Thru’, which was released in 1984.

In their home country rapid progress was made: in 1983 they were winners of the ‘Most Promising New Band’ section oi the Hot Press poll, and In 1984 they appeared at the Slane Festival supporting Bob Dylan, while lead singer, Leslie Dowdall Iatered returned to the stage to guest with the man himsell.

The signing to a major label was Inevitable, and In Tua Nua joined Island where they released two singles, Take My Hand and an In advised cover of Jellerson Alrplane’s Somebody to Love, and an EP ‘Blue Eyes Agaln' belore the

4341. 10pm. Free. Just this side theavy metal. Think it‘s pretty hack stuffmyself. but they seem to be building up a following by gigging steadily.

I Ozzy Osbourne Barrowlands. Gallowgate. 7.30pm. Rescheduled show from last month. and definitely a night out forTom Russell listeners. who are still bemoaning the lack of what they see as good bands at this year’s Reading Festival. (lggy. The Ramones. Hothouse Flowers. Deacon Blue. John lliatt. Smithereens. etc.) They'd stiU rather see some third rate amateur drama’tics. No accounting for taste and no accounting for the kind of people who will go to Ozzy concerts. Not a patch on Motorhead — the yardstick for all heavy metal.

deal was terminated. in Tua Nua eventually found their way on to Virgin, tor whom they have subsequently released two albums.

The Iirst, Vaudeville, was a solid ioundation lor luture greatness, with Dowdall’s classy vocals iindlng an always Interesting musical backdrop, sometimes dominated by Martin Clancy’s guitar, at others by the violin or uilleann pipes. Two singles, Heaven Can Wait and Seven In To The Sea were released with little response despite the band’s exposure on the Simple Minds’ tour, and when they appeared at the Dublin Sell Ald concert along with Van Morrison, UZ and kindred spirits, Clannad.

This year has seen the release of their second album, The Long Acre, which is an altogether more confident allair, bolstered by the great production at Don Dixon (REM, Smithereens, etc). The band have also changed personnel, now comprising of Leslie Dowadall (vocals), Paul Byme (drums), Martin Clancy (guitar), Jack Dublin (guitar), Brian D'Brialn (uilleann pipes, whistle, sax), Matt Spalding (bass) 3. Lovely Previn (violin).

The first single from the album, All I Wanted reached the top 75 - their Iirst

single to do so In this country. The follow up, Don’t Fear Me Now, is perhaps not the obvious choice when placed alongside Woman on Fire,

Wheel of Evil and Some Things Never Change from the album, but hopefully it will help open more ears to the band. The date at the Edinburgh Venue (28th) Is only their second time In Scotland, the first being two dates opening tor Simple Minds at Ibrox In 1985. A smaller scale — but hopelully just as good. (John Williamson)

I The Charge. Blind Budgies on Alcohol. Bulb Cormorant. Texas Breakfast and The B-Movies Lord Darnlcy. West Port.229 4341. 2pm—2am. £1. All-dayextravaganza in aid of Rheumatoid Arthritis sufferers. Feel free to drop in at any time ofthc day. I This Is It Negociants. Lothian Street. 225 6313. 9pm. Free.

St Andrews

I File Aid (‘raigtoun (‘ountry Park. Wain-midnight. 'l'wo-day ticket £15 (£10 cones). Saturday ticket £12 (£8 cones). Sce feature for the background on the British offering on Live liarth Day. the two-day concert also going under the name ‘David Bellamy's Festis al For The Future'. Marillion headline the first day. and the afternoon on the main stage kicks offwith Joe Strumnicr. followed by Michelle Shocked. ()sibisa. Robin Williamson. Jesse Rae. The Sugarcubes. Phil .Vlaiizanera. .lack Bruce and Run Rig. with several spaces still to fill. Not just music. but entertainment for the whole family. along with exhibitions and demonstrations of schemes to alleviate famine in the third world. More tomorrow.

SUNDAY 24 Glasgow

I Goodbye Mr MacKeznie Mayfair.470 Sauchiehall Street. 332 3872. 9pm. Tobe confirmed. Part of a mini tour scheduled to co-incide with the release oftheir (’apitol Records debut. Goodbye Mr Mackenzie. This was previously scheduled for the llith — so check that it has not been put back again.

I This Is It and The Dream Coyotes I lenry Afrikas. York Street. 10pm. Twogood bands in their own way — This Is it area slick pop outfit on demo evidence. While the Dream ('oy otes work better in the live context than on tape. wearing their REM influences on their sleeves.

I Burden Blues Breakers La Taniere. 15 Fox Street. 9pm. Free. L'sual Sunday night slot: described as nice. gentle music for listening to in the background.